Like Carolina horsenettle, bittersweet nightshade can be mistaken for edible wild tomatoes. It is however incredibly poisonous, and the toxic compounds contained within its fruits can cause irresponsible foragers extreme discomfort, and even risk their lives.

What are the active compounds in Bittersweet Nightshade?

Solanine is the active compound found in bittersweet nightshade, and it can cause extreme discomfort. Other alkaloids are present, like solasodine, but solanine is the most toxic. This toxin can be found in deadly nightshade too, and it’s the compound that causes people to become unwell after eating green/sun-exposed potatoes.

Bittersweet Nightshade poisoning symptoms

Usually, the symptoms of ingesting bittersweet nightshade are severe fatigue and weakness, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, arrhythmia, and joint pain. In severe cases, individuals may experience hallucinations, paralysis, and even hypothermia. Fatalities are rare, however, they have been documented.

Does Bittersweet Nightshade have medical potential?

Despite its toxicity, bittersweet nightshade has been used in various herbal treatments for centuries. Juice from the fruits was used topically to treat severe bruising and pain from injuries. Plant parts (in very small doses) were also mixed with other herbal remedies to create a purgative drink. However, it was mainly applied topically to various skin conditions.

Cultural symbolism of Bittersweet Nightshade

Bittersweet nightshade was once highly valued as a plant that could repel curses and spells. People would place dried leaves and fruits in certain areas for luck, healing, and protection. For example, herders would tie the plant around the neck of cattle to protect them from witchcraft or ‘the evil eye’.

With such a rich cultural history, bittersweet nightshade has been called many names throughout the centuries. Poisonberry, climbing nightshade, poison flower, and snake berry are all colloquial names that have been used for this toxic plant.

What does Bittersweet Nightshade look like?

As the colloquial name ‘climbing nightshade’ suggests, bittersweet nightshade is a vine that can climb up and over other plants. When flowering, bittersweet nightshade has the distinctive star-shaped flowers of other members of the nightshade family. Unlike the white flowers of Carolina horsenettle, bittersweet nightshade flowers are a striking purple color. The leaves are pointed, with a slight lobed section towards the stem.

The red fruits grow in truss-like clusters, which is why they can be mistaken for wild tomatoes. As a member of the nightshade family, it even has that familiar tomato smell, which can be tempting to inexperienced foragers or children.

Where does Bittersweet Nightshade grow?

Originally the plant was native to areas of Europe and Asia, however, large populations can now be found in North America. Because of its valued spiritual and protective uses, it likely spread far and wide throughout Eurasia and beyond. It favors moist and well-draining soils and can often be found in areas of woodland near streams, rivers, and even wetland areas.

Conclusion

While the fruits of the bittersweet nightshade remain toxic to humans and livestock, plenty of birds rely on them as a source of food. When adorned in purple blooms and red fruits, bittersweet nightshade is a striking plant to come across in the wild. Just make sure that if you’re planning to forage wild tomatoes, you familiarise yourself with the characteristics of Carolina horsenettle and bittersweet nightshade.

Featured Image: 4 Ripening bittersweet nightshade berries. Photo by Rosser1954 on Wikimedia Commons

It gets especially difficult for foragers during seasons when you only have the leaf structure and roots to identify. As the name suggests, death camas is a toxic plant and sadly there have been relatively recent documented deaths that have occurred as a result of individuals accidentally eating death camas.

What are the active compounds in Death Camas?

Death camas plants contain toxic alkaloids that are poisonous to humans, livestock, pets, and even most wildlife, including some insects. Zygacine and zygadenine are the two primary alkaloids that make death camas so poisonous. Both of these alkaloids have a severe effect on the nervous system, with zygacine being particularly lethal.

Death Camas poisoning symptoms

As the alkaloids begin to affect the nervous system, symptoms include slurred speech, trouble walking, and various movement-related issues. Other symptoms involve nausea, vomiting, and changes in heart rate. If a high dose is consumed it can cause death.

Does Death Camas have medical potential?

There are currently no known medical uses or herbal remedies that involved death camas. Because of the serious effects on the nervous system, the plant has never exhibited useful effects that could cure or treat any ailment.

Cultural symbolism of Death Camas

Death camas has been a well-known toxic plant in all Native American groups throughout history. In the 19th century, as railway lines ventured further westward in the US, and encroached on Native American land, death camas were supposedly used to fight back against this. Stories suggest that Native Americans sold death camas to railroad workers as wild onions in a desperate attempt to stop the construction of the railroads.

While death camas should be on the radar of any foragers looking for wild onion, it is also a great concern to livestock farmers. As sheep or cows graze throughout the day, they have the potential to accidentally eat a lethal amount of death camas. So like deadly white snakeroot, which can poison cows and their milk, farmers work to keep their pastures clear of toxic plants.

What does Death Camas look like?

Death camas plants tend to have grass-like stems which can greatly resemble the long succulent leaves of wild onion. Towards the bulb, the stem can have a red hue which again has similarities to the onion. When flowering, there is a spire of white, cream, and pale green-colored flowers.

The plants belong to a tribe called Melanthieae, and there are about 15 varied species. Most death camas plants belonged to the Zigadenus genus, but they have since been isolated into more specific groups.

Where does Death Camas grow?

The death camas tribe is native to North America and each species has a favorable habitat. Meadow death camas (Toxicoscordion venenosum) favors meadows and hillsides, whereas the desert death camas (Toxicoscordion brevibracteatum) grows in sandy deserts in Mexico and California.

Conclusion

Death camas is a relatively undocumented toxic lookalike to wild onion. With its striking similarity to the tasty wild edible, it’s important to show extreme caution. So, if you’re looking for wild onion, do your research and make sure you know all identifying features of death camas before you attempt to harvest anything.

Featured Image: Meadow death camas. Photo by Walter Siegmund on Wikimedia Commons

Often referred to as ‘conkers’, horse chestnut seeds are occasionally mistaken for sweet chestnut seeds. However, unlike their edible counterpart, horse chestnut seeds are toxic. There have been several instances across the World where naive foragers or children have accidentally consumed horse chestnut seeds, and become very ill as a result.

What are the active compounds in Horse Chestnut?

Horse chestnut plant parts contain a toxin known as aesculin. It’s a glucoside that can cause nausea, convulsions, and diarrhea. If a high dosage is consumed, particularly in young children, it can be fatal.

A number of toxic glycosides can also be found in horse chestnut trees, including saponins. These compounds protect plants from bacterial and fungal infection, and some saponins can irritate the digestive and respiratory tract. Saponins can also be found in the incredibly toxic pokeweed and manchineel plants.

Horse Chestnut poisoning symptoms

After ingesting seeds, raw or accidentally cooked, symptoms of horse chestnut poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, throat irritation, convulsions, coordination issues, and even paralysis. In high doses, horse chestnut poisoning could also be fatal.

What is the medicinal potential of Horse Chestnut?

One of the saponins found in horse chestnuts has been identified and used in pharmacology. The saponin, aescin, has been used to successfully treat chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Further study is needed, however, and home remedies are not recommended.

Cultural symbolism of Horse Chestnut

Horse chestnuts have several cultural uses within the UK. A children’s game known as ‘conkers’ has been popular for over two centuries. A hole is drilled in the hard seed and threaded with a shoelace that’s knotted at one end. Two opponents then take turns to hit each other’s conker with the other. The winner is whoever can break the other conker first.

An ‘old wives tale’ in the UK states that putting a horse chestnut seed in corners within a house will repel spiders. Although there is currently little evidence to prove this.

In Germany, the trees were planted near breweries to shade lager and beer with their dense canopies. Today they are still widely associated with beer gardens.

The horse chestnut is also one of several symbols of Ukraine’s capital city, Kyiv. The distinctive leaf of the horse chestnut, with its 5-7 leaflets, once featured on the city’s coat of arms and other cultural references like old coins and songs.

According to the IUCN horse chestnut trees are now considered vulnerable. Like the decimated American sweet chestnut tree, they are vulnerable to a number of bacterial and fungal infections.

What does Horse Chestnut look like?

Mature horse chestnut trees can grow up to 35+ meters. The trunk is typically grey, and scaly, and the canopy is a dense mass of bright green leaves. The leaves themselves are quite distinctive with palmate leaflets that are arranged around a central stem. The flowers form a clustered pyramid of pink to white flowers.

The spiked green seed casing and red/brown, glossy seeds have similarities to the chinquapin and sweet chestnut trees. However, horse chestnut seed casings usually have harder and fewer spikes compared to edible chestnuts. The seeds are also usually larger and rounder and with only one or two ‘conkers’ encased inside. They have a distinctive beige ‘eye’ on one side, which is why horse chestnut trees are often known as buckeyes, due to their similarity to deer eyes.

Where does Horse Chestnut grow?

Horse chestnuts were originally native to small pockets of Balkan forest within southeast Europe. Their showy flowers, distinctive leaves, and seed pods made them a popular choice in gardens and parks, and they have since spread across Europe. They can also be found within Canada and the US too.

Conclusion

A tree that is hugely valued for its unique characteristics and ornamental look, the horse chestnut also has great value to pollinators too. It’s an impressive species that should be protected and valued for its social and ecological importance.

Featured Image: Horsechestnut seeds, seed casings, and leaves. Photo by Solipsist on Wikimedia Commons

The common name ‘dogbane’ has been given to a number of plant species across history. As the name hints, it’s a plant that was initially considered toxic to dogs. However, dogbane is toxic to all mammals, including humans.

What Are The Active Compounds in Dogbane?

The milky sap within dogbane contains cardiac glycosides. These active compounds can also be found within foxglove which is another very deadly plant. The cardiac glycosides are toxic to all mammals, as they can have a detrimental effect on heart rate by slowing or increasing heartbeats. Dogbane roots contain the cardiac glycoside, cymarin, which has been identified as a cardiac stimulant.

These toxins remain even when the plant is dried. This means livestock could still be poisoned if plants are accidentally collected and distributed within hay.

Dogbane Poisoning Symptoms

While dogbane doesn’t have the extreme toxicity of manchineel or hallucinogenic datura, it can still cause a series of potentially deadly symptoms. Initial symptoms usually involve nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination, and convulsions. In serious poisoning cases, severe weakness, coma, and death can occur. Treatment is possible in mild cases, and it usually follows the same route of care involved in foxglove poisoning.

What is the Medicinal Potential of Dogbane?

Despite its toxic compounds, dogbane has been used in some American and European remedies. Native Americans created treatments for various respiratory illnesses, heart palpitations and even increasing milk flow in lactating mothers.

In Europe, it was often used as a substitute for foxglove (digitalis) and would be used in treatments for edema and specific heart conditions. The leaves of sword-leaf dogbane (Apocynum venetum) have a history of use in China as a medicine for hypertension, edema, and palpitations.

Cultural Symbolism of Dogbane

Because of its varied uses, dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum) has received a number of colloquial names throughout history. Hemp dogbane, Indian hemp, and wild cotton, all refer to the usefulness of its fibers in daily life. When dried, dogbane stems become very woody, fibrous, and tough. Native Americans used them to make nets, straps, bowstrings, and also simple twine, which had endless usage in daily life, including sewing clothes and equipment. It has also been known as rheumatism root, because of its use in treating inflammations and arthritis.

What Does Dogbane Look Like?

Plants can become quite tall and slender, usually reaching about 2ft. The leaves are opposite and pointed (lanceolate). The stems have prominent red coloring and are hairless, whereas the leaves have white hairs underneath. Dogbane flowers are quite delicate and showy, they’re bell-shaped and have a white to pink hue.

In Spring, dogbane and milkweed shoots can look very similar, and even grow in similar habitats, so foragers must take care. The flowers of dogbane eventually develop into long seed pods, full of fluffy seed heads.

Where Does Dogbane Grow?

Dogbane can be found growing in a variety of habitats, from urban areas of disturbed soil to woodland edges and sandy fields. The Apocynum cannabinum and Apocynum androsaemifolium species are native to North America, Canada, and parts of Mexico. 

The sword-leaf dogbane (Apocynum venetum) however is native to southeast Europe and many countries within Asia. It favors more waterlogged soil and can be found in coastal marshes and inland swamps.

Conclusion

Definitely a plant to be aware of if you plan on foraging milkweed. Although toxic, dogbane can still be enjoyed for its showy flowers and its vital place within ecosystems. The delicate pink flowers also provide a food source for plenty of insects too.

Featured Image: Spreading Dogbane Photo by Jacob W. Frank on Wikimedia Commons

What Are The Active Compounds in Moonseed?

The entire moonseed plant, from roots to flowers, contains toxic compounds known as isoquinoline alkaloids. The most potent of these alkaloids is called dauricine. Moonseed fruits in particular contain a high amount of these toxic alkaloids. And, unfortunately, they are the most enticing part of the plant to young children and also the plant part most similar to wild grapes.

Moonseed Poisoning Symptoms

Dauricine has a severe effect on the heart as it can cause arrhythmias and interruptions to cardiac channels. The effects have been likened to those from curare, a name given to toxic substances collected from various plants in South America that were used to poison arrowheads.

Symptoms include seizures, abdominal cramps, severe nausea, and an irregular heartbeat. The effect it has on the cardiac system can prove fatal, especially in young children, or in adults that have eaten several fruits. Treatment is possible, however, it depends on how many fruits have been eaten, and how quickly a patient is admitted to the hospital.

What is the Medicinal Potential of Moonseed?

Like rosary pea and the glow-in-the-dark jack-o-lantern mushroom, moonseed could have valuable medicinal potential. Scientific studies are currently being undertaken on dauricine to explore its use in inhibiting cancer cell growth.

Cultural Symbolism of Moonseed

Moonseed has been used in various medical applications by native Americans and also European settlers within the US. The Cherokee and Lenape used moonseed as a diuretic, laxative, and topical treatment for skin sores and rheumatism. It was also used to treat gynecological issues and particularly cervical cancer, which is why studies are examining its potential at treating cancer.

The plant can provide attractive ground cover and erosion support to banks, and some people choose to plant or maintain moonseed in their woodland garden. However, due to the toxicity of the plant and its invasive nature, it’s not recommended. While planting isn’t encouraged, the plant does have a vital place within woodland ecosystems. Caterpillars of the moonseed moth feed on the leaves, and a number of woodland birds eat moonseed fruits.

What Does Moonseed Look Like?

The woody vine and lobed leaves of moonseed greatly resemble wild grape plants. One differing characteristic is that moonseed leaves have a smoother edge, compared to the serrated leaves of wild grape leaves. The fruits however are round, with a deep purple coloring, just like wild grapes. They also grow in clusters and have the white ‘bloom’ coating that wild grapes can have.

The seeds found within moonseed fruits have a unique crescent shape, which inspired the plant name ‘moonseed’. If you’re intending to forage wild grapes it’s critical that you learn all differing characteristics between the two plants, as a mistake could be fatal.

Where Does Moonseed Grow?

Moonseed is native to southern Canada, parts of Mexico, and northeast America. There is also another species within the moonseed family that grows in northeast Asia. Like wild grape plants, moonseed can be found in moist areas of woodland in partial sun. The vines climb over other vegetation, and they can often be found growing amongst wild grapes, along streams or riverbanks. This means habitat cannot be used as a means of identification.

Conclusion

Moonseed is another incredibly toxic plant that may hold interesting medical potential. It shows just how much we can learn from plants, deadly or not, and how, throughout history, cultures amassed a deep understanding of their surrounding plant life.

Featured Image: Moonseed fruits and seeds | Photo by Nadiatalent on Wikimedia Commons

The seed’s bright red coloring and unique black dot can make them attractive to infants, so children should never be left unattended around this plant.

You may see it referred to as the jequirity plant, crab’s eye, or Indian licorice in older field guides. As the name suggests, rosary pea is a member of the pea/legume family known as Fabaceae. However, unlike other legumes within this plant family, rosary peas are incredibly deadly.

What Are The Active Compounds in Rosary Pea?

Rosary Pea contains a toxin known as abrin. It can only be found naturally within the rosary pea plant, and like the ricin found within castor bean, abrin is a toxic plant protein known as a toxalbumin. It’s a water-soluble and stable compound, which means it can stay lethal for years. For example, a bracelet with a rosary pea seed may pose no threat, but if the seed later comes into contact with the eyes or broken skin, it could be fatal.

Both abrin and ricin have similar effects on the body, but abrin is considered much more lethal. Abrin can inhibit the production of proteins within our cells. Without proteins, cells cannot function and the body begins to struggle with critical functions like breathing, digestion, and blood circulation. Without treatment rosary pea poisoning is often fatal.

Rosary Pea Poisoning Symptoms

If rosary pea seeds are eaten, symptoms will begin within the first 12-48 hours. The toxin will bring on waves of extreme nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, but it will also seriously affect the heart and respiratory system too. Chewing and consuming a single seed is thought to be enough to cause fatal poisoning through heart or respiratory failure.

Symptoms can vary depending on whether abrin is ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through an open wound or broken skin. There is no antidote, so poisoning cases are treated with procedures like stomach pumping, administering activated charcoal, and assisted ventilation.

What is the Medicinal Potential of Rosary Pea?

Rosary pea has long been appreciated in traditional medicine. The roots, leaves, and seeds are all used within recipes in Ayurveda and also Siddha medicine to treat a number of ailments. Siddha medicine is used in south India. The toxicity of the plant is well known, so the seeds are first prepared by boiling then drying. Medicines containing rosary pea are used to treat conditions ranging from respiratory illnesses and digestive issues to improving hair growth and sexual stamina.

Like foxgloves, pokeweed, and the glow-in-the-dark jack-o-lantern mushroom, rosary pea may hold valuable medicinal potential. Studies have shown that abrin may have a role to play in treating some cancers.

Cultural Symbolism of Rosary Pea

The bright red color of the seeds made them a popular choice in jewelry making within many cultures. However, individuals who use rosary peas in jewelry making know to be wary of pinpricks when creating holes in the seeds as this can cause abrin poisoning. Rosary pea bracelets and necklaces can be created, and also rosary necklaces, which inspired the common name. A white variety of the seed also exists.

In 2012 there was an urgent recall of bracelets sold in the UK, specifically by the Eden Project (a large botanical garden in Cornwall). The bracelets were made with the seeds of the rosary pea, which put members of the public at risk. It was a massive oversight that needed the Public Health Agency (PHA) to step in.

While many appreciated the rosary pea as an ornamental, studies have shown that it has become an invasive species in many areas. In Florida, it is a prohibited plant.

What Does Rosary Pea Look Like?

Like other members of the legume family, rosary pea is a climber and it has ornamental, pinnate leaves. In late summer it has showy clusters of pink/purple flowers that soon develop into narrow pods that dry and burst open to reveal the bright red seeds.

Where Does Rosary Pea Grow?

Rosary pea is a perennial plant that can establish quickly and create a deep root system — making it notoriously hard to get rid of. It’s a tropical plant, but it has been found growing in a range of habitats, including pine forests in Florida.

It can grow up and over other plants which can have a negative impact when it becomes established in areas with protected plant species.

Conclusion

Rosary pea is an incredibly deadly plant that highlights just how powerful plants can be. In its natural habitat in the tropics of Asia, it can be appreciated for its ornamental appearance. However, its deadly potential and invasive tendencies have ensured that regulations are now in place for its usage or transport in other continents. While its toxicity is alarming, its medicinal potential can still be greatly valued.

Featured Image: Photo by MGB CEE on Wikimedia Commons